Shipping Options from Canada to South Korea: The Complete Guide
Trade between Canada and South Korea (ROK) is flourishing, driven by the Korea-Canada Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA). This agreement eliminates virtually all duties on Canadian goods, making it easier than ever for businesses to export technology, agri-food, and bio-pharma products. Whether you are shipping commercial pallets or e-commerce parcels, understanding the logistics landscape is key to saving costs.
Best Ways to Ship to South Korea
Choosing the right method depends on your budget, urgency, and shipment size. Here is a breakdown of the primary options:
1. Air Freight
Best for: Time-sensitive commercial cargo and high-value goods.
Air freight offers the fastest door-to-door transit (3-5 days). It is ideal for shipments between 50kg and 300kg where ocean minimums make sea freight inefficient.
2. Ocean Freight (FCL & LCL)
Best for: Large bulk orders and pallets.
Vancouver is the major gateway for cargo to Korea. Transit times range from 1 to 2 months depending on the carrier and final destination (Busan or Incheon).
- LCL (Less Than Container Load): Cost-effective for 1-5 pallets.
- FCL (Full Container Load): Fastest ocean option (20ft or 40ft container).
Read More: Guide to Canadian Ocean Freight
3. Canada Post
Best for: Personal items and small gifts (under 2kg).
Canada Post partners with Korea Post for final delivery. It is generally the cheapest option for individuals, with rates starting around $45 CAD for a small packet.
4. Express Couriers (FedEx, UPS, DHL)
Best for: Urgent documents and tracked parcels.
Major carriers offer reliable service, but rates can be high for individuals. Jet Worldwide offers discounted access to these networks for businesses.
Cold Chain to the Peninsula: Shipping Dry Ice to South Korea
Connecting Canadian Biotech with the Songdo Bio Cluster
South Korea is rapidly becoming the world’s contract manufacturing organization (CMO) capital. For Canadian biotech startups and research labs, this means frequent shipments of biological samples, frozen enzymes, and Research materials to facilities in Incheon and Seoul.
Shipping goods on Dry Ice (UN1845) to South Korea isn't just about keeping them cold; it's about navigating strict MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) regulations.
1. The Bio-Pharma Opportunity
The Challenge: The long flight from Toronto/Montreal to Incheon means a high risk of sublimation (dry ice melting).
The Solution: We calculate dry ice based on door-to-door transit, not just flight time. For critical biologicals, we recommend "Active" containers or high-performance passive packaging.
2. CKFTA and Premium Food Exports
Under CKFTA, duties on frozen lobster and blueberries are reduced. However, Korea’s Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) is rigorous. If your frozen food sample lacks the specific Sanitary Certificate attached to the outside of the box, it will be rejected.
Contact Jet Worldwide to design a secure, temperature-controlled logistics plan.
Customs Clearance in South Korea
Navigating Korean customs requires attention to detail. The standard VAT rate is 10%, calculated on the CIF Value (Cost + Insurance + Freight).
The "PCCC" Requirement (Personal Customs Clearance Code)
Critical for B2C Shipments:
South Korea requires a Personal Customs Clearance Code (PCCC) for all personal shipments. While a passport number can be used as a substitute, using a PCCC avoids delays.
- Format: P123456789012 (1 letter + 12 digits)
- Action: Ensure this code is listed in the "Tax ID" field of your commercial invoice.
Business Imports (Business Registration Number)
For B2B shipments, the receiver's 10-digit Business Registration Number is required. Do NOT use a personal ID for a business shipment.
Duty-Free Shipping under CKFTA
The Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA) offers significant advantages for Canadian exporters. Most Canadian-origin goods can enter South Korea Duty-Free.
How to Qualify for Preference
Simply buying a product in Canada does not make it "Canadian Origin." It must meet specific Rules of Origin:
- Wholly Obtained: Grown or mined entirely in Canada.
- Product Specific Rules: Sufficient transformation (e.g., change in tariff classification) occurred in Canada.
The Origin Statement
To claim duty-free status, the exporter must include a specific Origin Declaration on the commercial invoice. A separate formal certificate is often not required for low-value shipments, but the statement is mandatory.
Read More: Understanding Certificates of Origin
Shipping Online Orders/E-Commerce
South Korea has a high de minimis threshold for personal imports:
Under 150,000 KRW (approx. $170 CAD): Duty and Tax-Free.
However, customs is strict about valuations. Ensure your invoice accurately reflects the transaction value to avoid audits.
Shipping from South Korea to Canada
Importing goods from Korea follows similar rules. You can use Korea Post (EMS) for small items or major couriers for commercial samples.
Canadian Import Fees
- Under CAD $20: Duty and tax-free.
- Under CAD $3,300: Eligible for simplified LVS clearance (Low Value Shipment).
- Over CAD $20: GST/HST applies.
CARM: The New Standard for Importers
The CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) portal is now mandatory for commercial importers. You must register your business to pay duties and taxes directly.
Read More: Guide to CARM Registration
Special Services: Canadian International Schools
There are several Canadian international schools in Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi-do. Jet Worldwide specializes in consolidating and shipping textbooks and educational supplies directly to these institutions.
Read More: Shipping Supplies to International Schools
Get a Shipping Quote: Canada ↔ South Korea
We provide tailored solutions for parcels, pallets, and dry ice logistics.
Disclaimer: The information in Jet Worldwide online content, including this post, is for general information only.
